The Anointed: Countering Dystopia with Faith in Octavia Butler's Parable of the Sower and Parable of the Talents

Document Type

Article

Journal Title

Americana: The Journal of American Popular Culture

Publication Date

2014

Abstract

Octavia Butler was one of the few African-American speculative fiction writers in a field that has been historically dominated by white men. Her contemporary fiction incorporated and re-affirmed the Black experience, while articulating visions of a future that addressed both hopes and concerns of the Black community. During the latter part of her career, Butler critically interrogated the role of religion in American society. Contrary to the dominant characterizations of the theological resonances of Butler’s fiction being indicative of New Age spirituality, her novels, Parable of the Sower (1993) and Parable of Talents (1998), continue the tradition of Black theology’s call for civic responsibility and social activism. Through the creation of Earthseed, Butler’s protagonist, Lauren Olamina, negotiates heightened class and racial antagonisms, the destruction of local communities, and government corruption. Her spirituality is essential in confronting and overcoming the harsh reality of twenty-first century America. Her spiritual revelation and anointing offers an alternative to the social, cultural, and spiritual nihilism that surrounds Lauren’s community of Robledo: mankind’s eventual conquest of the stars. And, this alternative future is based on understanding the teachings of Earthseed: God is change and each individual is responsible for change. Or, as Jacques Derrida succinctly argues, “[r]eligion is responsibility or it is nothing at all” (Acts of Religion 2).

Comments

This article is freely available on the web: https://americanpopularculture.com/journal/past_issues.htm. 

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We are a nonprofit, independent press dedicated to positive social change through the publication of exceptional American popular culture scholarship, 1900 to present, and creative writing. We are especially interested in publishing material that examines such issues as social action, social justice, human rights, environmental awareness, the human condition, diversity, love, compassion, empathy, ethical and moral obligations, community and belonging. In other words, we are passionate about projects that empower and uplift humanity.

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